New Member - Sailing with Stern Rail Seats

[Tillerb]

Hello everyone. I have recently acquired a 2004 MacGregor 26M and am very excited waiting for spring. I have owned 3 sailboats, a Paceship 23, Tanzer 26 and most recently a Siren 17. My MacGregor comes, it appears fully equipped with cockpit enclosure, stern rail seats, furling jenny and many other extras, along with a 90 HP Evinrude e-tec. My wife (i see Admiral is the term here) wanted a floating small cottage, I wanted another sailboat and motoring out of Hamilton Harbour (Ontario) usually took up to 1/2 hour or more to get out onto Lake Ontario. My last sailboat was the Siren 17 which my wife wouldn't go on because she says too tippy. Biggest motor I've had was a 9.9 Honda.

I've scoured the site the past couple of weeks learning a lot about the MacGregor and the differences to my Tanzer 26. Still have a lot to learn and will keep looking for answers to many questions I will have as spring gets closer. It will be interesting to see if Mac sails differently.

Went through many discussions on stern rail seats, but my question is how does it affect sailing or motoring with bodies in both seats, with or without bodies in cockpit. i.e. with full ballastI. Saw one post with skipper sailing or motoring in stern seat but haven't found other examples. If there is a post answering my question maybe you can point me in direction. There is such tremendous information here that I keep getting sidetracked on topics and off on another tangent.
Any opinion is welcomed. I don't know which forum topic this note will end up in but will be fun finding it.

Anyway, glad that I found this group. Bob

[chipveres]

Welcome to the forum, Bob. My boat doesn't have stern seats so I can't answer your question, but somebody will.
Chip V.

[Jimmyt]

Best seats in the house for normal sailing conditions and hull speed motoring. I don't allow that position when planing under power, so can't speak to that. Also, haven't had anyone in them when sailing in over 20 kt wind, so can't speak to that. No objection really, just didn't have enough crew under those conditions to have someone just sitting.

Welcome to the forum! Congratulations on the purchase.

The 26M is a water ballasted boat, which will heel initially as you load the sails up. It will stiffen up, but at a pretty good heel angle. Until your wife (the Admiral) gets comfortable, you will want to go easy on the main and Genoa sheets. It will move along ok without laying it on its side. My wife wasn't comfortable at all at significant heel, so I feel your pain. Given time and experience, she'll get more comfortable with it.

[NiceAft]

Welcome to the friendliest site on the web. You will literally be exchanging post with Mac owners from around the world.

This is the correct place for this post,MacGregor Powersailor Discussion. Posting in the wrong place should be the worst thing that ever happens to you.

I have the stern rail seats, and as Jimmy said, "Best seats in the house for normal sailing conditions and hull speed motoring." I just call them the best seats in the house.

Because of being a ballasted boat, it is tipsy until you get some wind in her sails and the boat is moving. After awhile the Admiral will be fine. My wife and I have had Nice Aft (2005 ) heeling at over 45 degrees, it just takes time to feel comfortable that the the boat is self righting (with a full ballast). Please remember this, always fill the ballast completely, not partially.

Do you know if the previous owner was active on this site

[Starscream]

My last sailboat was the Siren 17 which my wife wouldn't go on because she says too tippy. Biggest motor I've had was a 9.9 Honda.

Our first boat:


Taken in 2007 two years before we got the "real boat" Mac26X. It's a night-and-day kind of difference.

Taken 10 years later in the same spot:

[NiceAft]

My last sailboat was the Siren 17 which my wife wouldn't go on because she says too tippy. Biggest motor I've had was a 9.9 Honda.

Our first boat:


Taken in 2007 two years before we got the "real boat" Mac26X. It's a night-and-day kind of difference.

Taken 10 years later in the same spot:

Quite a learning curve.

This is what I sailed for 25 years before Nice Aft


I still have it. Talk about steep learning curves. 14.5 feet (4.4m) of pure fun.

[Tillerb]

Thanks for the quick responses. So, from what I gather so far, I shouldn't be too top heavy with bodies in both stern seats, if sailing in moderate weather, say 8 to 15 kts and/or motoring at hull speed of 10 to 12 kts.
Reason for asking as I have two grown teen sailor grandchildren who will beeline to those seats once underway.

As I continue my digging into all of the discussions I will probably have other odd ball questions that would be specific to Macs.

My new Mac has always been winter stored inside and hasn't seen the water in 2 or 3 years. Motor started right up after charging battery, but I'll have it tuned in spring.
Previous owner is in his late 80's and hasn't sailed much the last few years. I don't see his name on the member list but I'll ask him if he was a member under another moniker.

Thanks to all who responded, for the information and the welcome. I have been on other sail sites but this one appears to be the most informative and generous with help.


, my current Siren 17


my Mac pulled out for viewing

[NiceAft]

I shouldn't be too top heavy with bodies in both stern seats,

To be Frank, it all depends upon your sailing skills.

Take it slow, and get used to the feel of a ballasted boat. You will get to understand that your Mac is not the typical boat you are used to. It will perform in a way that will make you trust in it.

[Jimmyt]

You need to get the manual and check it over.

10-12 kt is way over hull speed for a 26 ft boat. You can damage your rudders and dagger if they are down at those speeds. Manual says 6mph is max speed for rudder and dagger boards.

Check the max weight allowable in the manual also. Here is the 2003 manual, looks like the later one has an issue. I have a copy I'll try to get uploaded. https://macgregorsailors.com/resources/ ... l_2003.pdf

If they are big kids, and the only crew, concentrating all of that weight at the stern may not help your sailing performance much, but as Ray says, you'll get a feel for it. Smaller kids shouldn't be a problem. I've sailed with about 150 lbs in each seat and didn't notice an issue. I had full ballast tank obviously and other crew aboard.

[NiceAft]

I missed that.

Jimmy is correct. Hull speed is 6mph (9.6km/h).

Above that speed, raise rudders & daggerboard.

As to the stern rail seats, still the best seats.

[Tillerb]

Good catch. Thanks. Another note to make in my own MacGregor note book. I'll download that manual. Got a lot more to learn, expecially since I haven't owned a boat, or motored a boat with a motor over 9.9.

[Russ]

Here is the 2003 manual, looks like the later one has an issue.

Yes it did

I fixed it.

Download the 26M manual here

https://www.macgregorsailors.com/resources.html

[Tillerb]

Thanks Russ. Downloaded and printing right now.

[WinSome]

Welcome to the group Tillerb. We’ll have to plan a connection as we sail Hamilton Harbour (‘99 26X ) (I need to update my profile) along with a few other Mac’s I’m in contact with. Our boatyard here in mid-Flamborough has a couple other boats over-wintering presently.
You’re going to have a great time sailing and we look forward to your company. The last two years due to Covid we’ve been dry-sailing from Fisherman’s Pier. A slip provided more frequent friendly usage though. Hope to see you soon. Tom

[Tillerb]

Thanks Tom
I tried replying with email but Don.t know if they got thru. I was hoping to meet group of Mac owners in my area and there you are. Hoping to experience some Mac sailing techniques from you guys.